HCSO High Risk Operations Unit welcomes first female

Jennifer Summer

Published 3:30 am, Sunday, November 23, 2014

Photo: ANDREW BUCKLEY

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Deputy Sarah Malkowsky checks her surroundings during a handgun training exercise with the High Risk Operations Unit on Nov. 21, 2014, at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy and Gun Range in Humble.

Deputy Sarah Malkowsky checks her surroundings during a handgun training exercise with the High Risk Operations Unit on Nov. 21, 2014, at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy and Gun Range in Humble.

Photo: ANDREW BUCKLEY

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Deputy Sarah Malkowsky shoots during rifle training with the High Risk Operations Unit on Nov. 21, 2014, at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy and Gun Range in Humble.

Deputy Sarah Malkowsky shoots during rifle training with the High Risk Operations Unit on Nov. 21, 2014, at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy and Gun Range in Humble.

Photo: ANDREW BUCKLEY

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Deputy Sarah Malkowsky participates in a handgun training exercise with the High Risk Operations Unit on Nov. 21, 2014, at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy and Gun Range in Humble.

Deputy Sarah Malkowsky participates in a handgun training exercise with the High Risk Operations Unit on Nov. 21, 2014, at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy and Gun Range in Humble.

Photo: ANDREW BUCKLEY

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Deputy Sarah Malkowsky speaks about her career leading up to becoming the first female deputy in High Risk Operations Unit on Nov. 21, 2014, at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy and Gun Range in Humble. less

Deputy Sarah Malkowsky speaks about her career leading up to becoming the first female deputy in High Risk Operations Unit on Nov. 21, 2014, at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy and Gun Range in ... more

Photo: ANDREW BUCKLEY

HCSO High Risk Operations Unit welcomes first female

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Coming from a long line of family members serving as Law Enforcement Officers, it was a natural fit for Deputy Sarah Malkowsky.

After graduating from college, Malkowsky made the decision to register for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Training Academy and has loved it ever since. She has been with HCSO since 2005.

“My mom, dad, stepdad, aunts, uncles and brother all work in law enforcement; I’ve always been surrounded by it,” Malkowsky said.

Malkowsky works in the HCSO Internal Affairs department full-time but also works as a team member on the HCSO’s High Risk Operations Unit.

She is the first female to join the HROU team which is usually called in for scenes such as hostage situations, bomb threats, active shooters and incidents where a highly specialized tactical team is needed to resolve an issue.

“In January 2014, I made the decision to try out for the HROU team and knew that there was a lot of preparation such as mental and physical agility to be a member of this elite team,” Malkowsky said. “I trained very hard to be prepared for anything they would task us to complete during the HROU try-out and was given the opportunity to be a part of the team. It wasn’t easy; HROU is one of the most elite special units that an officer can be selected to join.”

Most recently, Malkowsky was a part of the team that responded to the Palace Inn on Highway 6 in west Harris County where a suspect wanted for murder in San Diego had barricaded himself in a room.

Though the try-outs for HROU were difficult, Malkowsky stated that they weren’t impossible as long as one is prepared and has trained well.

To be a part of HROU, the officer must continue to train as much as possible to shoot accurately, maintain physical stamina and be prepared both mentally and physically for any type of scene they may be called out to in an effort to assist police.

Malkowsky may be the first female on the HROU team but insists she is one of the guys.

“To me, I am one of the guys,” Malkowsky said. “I train and work very hard to be prepared just like anyone else on this team. I don’t look at it that I am any different than anyone else on this team.”

For more information about the High Risk Operations Unit or the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, visit www.harriscountyso.org.